Agenda and minutes

Councillor Ceredig Davies and Dan Potter apologised for their inability to attend the meeting. (Councillor Davies, however, attended the meeting late due to a Licensing Hearing)

Councillor Lynford Thomas and Rowland Rees-Evans apologised for their inability to attend the meeting as they were on other Council duties

None.

Mr Russell Hughes-Pickering –Corporate Lead Officer, Economy & Regeneration reported that on the 29th November 2021 the Independent Group presented a paper to the committee setting out a vision towards creating a pathway to Home Ownership for the Younger Generation of Ceredigion. The vision had been drafted in response to the economic situation facing the young people in Ceredigion and the lack of opportunities  to get on the housing ladder and be able to stay within their own communities.

The Committee had been shown evidence that demonstrates that there were limited opportunities for young people to be able to purchase a first home due to the economic constraints within the County at the meeting held in November 2021. Members were all supportive of the proposal and agreed that the ‘Vision towards creating a pathway to Home Ownership for Younger Generation of Ceredigion’ was referred to relevant Officers to work up the viability of the scheme and that Officers would then return to Committee with their recommendations prior to presenting recommendations to Cabinet and Council and for the preferred funding option would be modelled into the annual budget setting.

It was reported that the Council Tax Premium Task and Finish Group comprising of Councillors and Officers at its 26th January 2022 meeting unanimously agreed to recommend and support the local housing proposal that was presented to the committee.

Consideration was given to the report contents, which sets out in detail the Key Points in the Vision, the Appraisal of Proposal and Conclusion

Members questioned the content of the report, and officers responded accordingly. The Committee discussed various issues and opportunities that could be considered and developed further by the new administration following the Local Elections in May 2022. There was consensus that the proposals were appropriate for the first phase of a longer term plan to support young people in Ceredigion.

It was AGREED to recommend to Council:-

1.that the Council decision  24/3/16  Minute 12) Report of the Deputy Chief Executive upon the Council Tax Premiums for long-term empty homes and second homes, point 4 be amended as follows:

“4.a) The level of Council Tax Second Homes   Premium charged to be set at 25% (with effect from 1 April 2017);  and,

b) that all monies raised from the 25%  Council Tax Second Homes Premium  (net of the Council Tax refunds),  be ring -fenced and used  to support  the Community Housing Scheme.”

2.that all monies raised from the 25% Council Tax Second Homes Premium between the period 1/4/17 to 31/3/22 (net of Council Tax refunds), to be ring-fenced and used to support the Community Housing Scheme.

3. that all monies raised from the 25% Council Tax Second Homes Premium from 1/4/22   (net of the Council Tax refunds), to be ring-fenced and used to support the Community Housing Scheme.

4. that from 1/4/22, all monies raised from the 25% Council Tax Empty Homes Premium (net of the Council Tax refunds), be ring-fenced and used to support the Community Housing Scheme.

5.that Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

It was AGREED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 13 January 2022.

Matters Arising

None.